Dilantin Allergy

[Amoinete]

My doctor had upped my Dilantin from 300mg a day to 400 mg. After about 2 weeks of the new dosage I have broken out all over. There are red splotches all over my body and extreme itching. It itches like the chicken pox but without the bumps. I am now being weened off the Dilantin and given a prescription for Keppra. Is there anything I can do to stop the itching? I've taken Benadryl and got no relief. I'm going insane!!! I've taken like three showers today to get some relief but that only lasts for like 20 minutes. Somebody please suggest a cure or at least effective temporary relief before I scratch myself to death!

[Jo*mar]

Oatmeal baths, with lukewarm water?
I don't know if Epsom or sea salt baths would help or not.
Benadryl lotion?

[Darlene]

You could use some Cortizone creme, with aloe. At times it has help me with itching. Hopefully that will help you. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene

[mrsD]

Some people find Sarna Lotion helpful.
http://www.sarna-skincare.com/produc...h-lotions.html
I would try the Original formula first. Often it works well.
The other for Sensitive is a back up if Original fails for you.

Dilantin is listed as a potential cause of peripheral neuropathy.
If this is the case for you, the itching is not so much allergic but a nerve response to the drug. Itching may precede actual pain signals.

Therefore antihistamine drugs may not work well for this type of itching.

If you can take aspirin, you could try AlkaSeltzer original formula. This has aspirin in it to reduce inflammation and also the bicarb fizz base helps change the acid environment where the nerve signals are generated, to a more basic level chemically. This result is not long lived however, and may only last 4-6 hrs. Hopefully once you clear the drug completely from your body, the itching may stop. If there is a medical reason you cannot take aspirin, then the AlkaSeltzer is not a viable option for you.

Some drugs damage the dorsal nerve roots along the spine. If this is your case, the itching may change to pain. But it is impossible to predict at this point. Let's hope it is temporary.
I certainly would not accept Dilantin treatments anymore if I were you.

[Amoinete]

I tried taking some more benadryl and and lathered myself in hydrocortisone cream. I stopped itching for about 2 hours. Now its back with a vengeance. I lathered on another coat but its not working anymore. I itch so bad, I could cry. And I think its getting worse. I think I will call my doctor in the morning. Doesn't look like I'll be falling asleep anytime soon.

[Porkette]

Hi Amoinete,

I broke out with a rash when I was allergic to lamictal and my skin itched like crazy. I ended up seeing a dermalogist (skin specialist) who did a skin biopsy on me and found out I was allergic to the drug. He told me to stay away from any perfumes, soaps, and shampoos that had strong scents in them and I was told to use only Dove soap for sensitive skin along with luke warm water when bathing. The hotter the water the more the itch and rash will spread. I was also given a perscription sertoid cream to put on my skin 2-3 times a day to stop the itch. My Dr. told me to rub my skin in the area it itched to help stop the itching. I hope everything clears up for you and I wish you only the best. May God Bless You!

Sue

[Amoinete]

I got in touch with my doctor and he sent a prescription to my pharmacy for some steroid pills. So far, their working great now and am itch free. Hopefully the dilantin will have cleared my system by the time the pills are done.

[mrsD]

Originally Posted by Amoinete

I got in touch with my doctor and he sent a prescription to my pharmacy for some steroid pills. So far, their working great now and am itch free. Hopefully the dilantin will have cleared my system by the time the pills are done.

This will probably be much better for you since steroids work by reducing inflammation. (like the aspirin would). The steroids however are much much stronger in this regard.

[Porkette]

Originally Posted by Amoinete

I got in touch with my doctor and he sent a prescription to my pharmacy for some steroid pills. So far, their working great now and am itch free. Hopefully the dilantin will have cleared my system by the time the pills are done.

Amoinete,
Be sure to stay away from grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking the steroid pill because the enzymes in the grapefruit can mess up the steroid med. I'm glad to hear that the itching stopped and I wish you only the best. May God Bless You!

Sue

[Dmom3005]

I would suggest staying away from grapefruit and grapefruit juice until,
you check all your medications.

Lots of the medications for epilepsy have a warning for these. I can't
honestly remember if Keppra is one.

Donna